Püramiidskeems

Püramiidskeems, also known as pyramid schemes, are a form of illegal and unsustainable business model that relies on recruiting new members to make money. Participants are typically required to pay a fee to join, and their primary method of earning income is by recruiting others into the scheme. While initial investors may see a return on their investment, this is generated from the money paid by new recruits, rather than from any legitimate product or service sales.

The structure of a pyramid scheme is inherently unsustainable. As the number of recruits grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to find new participants. Eventually, the recruitment process slows down, and the scheme collapses, leaving the majority of members, particularly those at the lower levels, with significant financial losses. Regulators and consumer protection agencies widely condemn pyramid schemes due to their deceptive nature and detrimental impact on individuals.

Key characteristics of a pyramid scheme include a focus on recruitment over actual product sales, promises of high returns with little effort, and pressure to recruit friends and family. It is important to distinguish pyramid schemes from legitimate multi-level marketing (MLM) businesses, which derive revenue primarily from the sale of products or services to end consumers. While MLMs can also be structured in a way that is difficult to profit from, they are not inherently illegal like pyramid schemes.